The Sun. — London, England, 1864-04-20 00:00:00

IMPERIAL PARLIAMENT HOUSE OF LORDS—Last Evening. le LORD CHANCELLOR took his seat on the woolsack St the usual hour. THE BOMBARDMENT OF SONDERBORG. The Earl of MALMESBURY asked the noble earl the Secretary for Foreign Affairs whether he had yet received any reliable information in reference to the report that Sonderborg was bombarded without previous notice having been given, in accordance with the ordinary uses in civil warfare. lle thought that if it was true it was the duty of J2er Majesty's Govrrnment to state most distinctly its opi nion of the doings of the Prussian army. Earl RUSSELL said he had not received any definite information as yet. lie expected that the reply to any inquiries would be that her Majesty's Government had no right to inquire into the conduct of a belligerent. LAND SECURITIES COMPANY BILL. The Duke of MARLBOROUGH moved the second reading of this bill, the object of which was the formation of a financial society for lending money, taking land as a security for the loans made. A long discussion arose, in which Lord Redesdale, the Lord Chancellor, and Lord Craaworth took part ; the bill was read a second time and referred to a select committee. Garibaldi and the Emperor of the French, The Earl of CLARENDON replied to the state ments published in some of the morning papers, to the effect that General Garibaldi had been induced to curtail his visit to England on account of the representations that had been made to the English Government by the French Government. The noble earl then read the state ment in question, sad said that if there was the slightest foundation for the statement, her Majesty's Government would well deserve the strictures contained in the article. He could assure their lordships that, neither directly nor indirectly, had any representation been made to that effect by the Emperor Napoleon, or any member of his Govern ment, nor was any allusion made by him (Earl of Clarendon) with respect to the arrival of Gen. Garibald in this country, or to the probable time of his departure. He would not say the subject had not been alluded to. He (the Earl of Clarendon) had alluded to it probably in describing the en trance of General Garibaldi iato London, and more than likely he had mentioned the enthusiasm with which he was received, and that the ground of that enthusiasm was that he had risen in the estima tion of the people because of the great services he had rendered his country, and because he was a brave and honest man. (Hear, hear.) He was not betraying any confidence, he was sure, when he said the Emperor fully understood and certainly believed how such qualities as those possessed by General Garibaldi went to the Eng lish heart. No question or inquiry was ever made to him (the Earl of Clarendon) upon the subject. He had not heard the rumour of his leaving England until he had seen it in the morning papers, and while he was addressing their lord ships he would simply allude to another matter, in which it was stated in the same newspaper, and which had been put forward elsewhere. No concessions had either been made or asked of the French Government or of the English Government by each other. The same desire existed on the part of her Majesty's Government upon the all impor tant question that there should be a cordial understanding es far as practicable between the two Governments.. (Hear, hear.) PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Lancaster Local Board of Health and the Metropoli tan Meat and Poultry Markets Bills was read a second time. The London Necropolis and National Mausoleum, the North Kent Water, Helsone and Penrhyn Junction Rail way,Tunbrid ge Wells Gas, Swansea Vale Railway, Ipswich G4B, and Caine Railway Bills were read a third time and passed. The Landed Securities Company Bill was read a second time. Oa the motion of the LORD CHANCELLOR, the Bill amending the Improvement of Land Act was read a second time. Their Lordships then adjourned shortly bel'ore seven. HOUSE OF COMMONS—Last Evening, The SPEAKER took the chair at four o'clock. NEW MEMBER. Sir T. BATESON took the oaths and his seat on his elec tion for Devizes. PRIVATE BUSINESS. The Bucklechurch Roads Bill and the South Stafford shire Water Bill were read a third time and passed. TREATY BETWEEN CAMBODIA AND FRANCE. Ia reply to Viscount ENFIELD, Mr. LAYARD said that he had not seen the treaty in question, but he understood that it contained provisions in favour of France. The Government of this country had been communicated with, and expressed their desire that all countries treating with Cambodia should have the same privileges. PENSION TO THE KING OF GREECE. Mr. AYRTON gave notice that on Friday fortnight, on t`4o motion fur going into committee of supply, he would move that the granting of a pension of 4,000 a year to the King of Greece by the Government, without the sanction of Parliament, was a violation of the privileges of this house. THE QUESTION OF BREACH OF PRIVILEGE. Colonel FRENCH drew attention to the debate on the question of privilege, and read the acts 19 and 2.J, cap. 116, which stated that the Government could appoint only a member of the Privy Council to be a member of the Coun cil of Education. The ATTORNEY-GENERAL explained that the diffi culty alluded to by the hon. and gallant member could easily be surmounted, as the Queen had the power of appointing any parson a member of the Privy Council. GARIBALDI, Mr. D. GRIFFITH said he wished to afford Govern ment an opportunity of making an explana'ion in reference to a report that prevailed to tne effect that the interruption of the visit of General Garibaldi to this country had been caused by the suggestions of the Government, dictated from another quarter, lord PALMERSTON said he had heard of the report which had suggested the observations of the hon. mem ber, and he understood that reports to the same eff,ct pre vailed in different parts of the metropplis. The report set forth that the curtailment of the General's visit was really suggested by the Government of this country, dictated, as the hon. member implied, by the Emperor of the French. That report had done great injustice, both to the Government and the Emperor of the French. He could only ssy that any Government of this country would receive such applications from a foreign Power, in reference to a domestic event, with a civil but firm refusal. With regard to the Emperor of the French, from the information he bad received from Lord Clarendon, so far from the reception given to General Garibaldi loy this country having given htm umbrage, he regarded it as highly honourable to the people of this country. Every one must know that the General received a severe wound in August, 1862, from the effects of which he had not yet recovered. It was also well known that the General had led a life of exposure and hard ship, and therefore it was not surprising that he should be in a delicate state of health. Besides, his life since ho came to this country had been different to what he had recently been accustomed to. In the island of Caprcra ho rose and went to bed early, but here he had to receive deputations and visits, to dine at half• past 8 o'clock, and to go to bed at 12 o'clock. (Laughter.) He expressed a hope that the general's health would be improved by re tiring to his former mode of living. DENMARK. Mr OSBORNE drew the ahention of the house to the effect of our foreign policy in Denmark and the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein ; and moved that it was both unjust and inexpedient to insist on the provisions of the Treaty of London, 1852, so far as they related to the order of succession in the Duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, as a basis for the settlement of the Deino-Grrnan dispute ; and, address for copy of all answers returned by the Germanic Confederation and the Powers Nvho have been invited to attend the approaching Confe rence. The hon. member said—Whatever may be the faults or shortcomings of the House of Commons, it can hardly be attributed to us that we are of an impatient or inquisitive turn of mind. For although professing the greatest interest in their sanguinary contest now going on in the north of 'Europe, and in spite of five bulky volumes having been pub lished, containing upwards of 1,215 despatches, up to the present moment no inquiry has been made into those bulky v olumes—n o discussion has yet taken place upon the policy of her Majesty ' s Minis'ers. Whatever else may be attri buted to me, I do not think I am acting in a premature manner in bringing the subject under the consideration of Parliament In doing so I shall endeavour to avoid the genealogical, and all the other mystifications by which it has been endeavoured td sink the question of Schleswig- Holstein. I know it has been laid down, upon the highest authority, that this question is above the comprehension of the ordinary parliamentary intellect—(laughter)--that, like the mysteries of Eleusis, none but the favoured hierophants of the Cabinet can unravel its mysteries and explain its origin. Even upon a recent occasion, one of the most skilful members of the Cabinet, the right hon. member for Asht (M r . M. Gibson) declared to his constituents his utter in ability to comprehend the points at issue between Denmark and tba duchies, and his resolution to leave the matter to bi elucidated by the German prof essors. (A laugh.) This, too, at a time when the Cabinet of which the right hon. gentleman is a member were consulting upon the expe diency of going to war with Germany, L et me hope that the House of Commons will not follow the fatal example of my right boa. friend ; fur although this subj ct has been mystified by mediaeval research, and obscured by profes sorial explanations, it is simple in its origin and easy of comprehension. Had not diplomacy rushed in with its ex• pedients th e ques ti on would long ago have settl e d i tself. But when diplomacy came and manufactured a succession, and so upset the rights of the people, the question became in extricably confused. To what is all this bloodshed and con fusion in the north of Europe to be attributed ? I am one of that small and faithful band who attribute all this confu sion to the treaty of London in 1852, which was concocted by the noble lord the present First Minister of the Crown, and enlorsed by another noble lord, whom I do not blame, THE SUN, LONDON, WEDNESDAY EVENING, APRIL 20, 1864. while the greater Powers regard us as an incorrigible bore, (Hear, hear.) Notwithstanding that, it was a little re inasmuch as he had recently accepted the seals of the Fo reign Office, and could not be supposed to be acquainted with all the intricacies of this question. That tri aty was made by one Government, and signed by Lord Main esbury, the Foreign Secretary of another. The provisions of that treaty trampled on the rights of an ancie a c pro' le, and also on the rights of an hereditary duke, and r the pretext of supporting the integrity of Denmark and maintaining the balance of power in Europe, for which this country has paid so much and profited so little. This treaty has settled no point, it has satisfied no party; while Germany denies the legality of the treaty, and Denmark evades all the stipula tions of the treaty of 1852. England is the only power which, on a strict examination of those blue books, will be found pertinaciously adhering to, and ready to go to war for, the maintenance of that treaty by which the people of the duchies of Schleswig-Holstein are compelled to accept the supremacy of the Danish monarchy, which had no heart or feeling for these duchies. (Hear, hear.) I have no hesi tion in saying that, in the making of that treaty, the noble lord unfortunately became a tool in the hands of Russia to advance the ambitious designs of the Emperor of that coun try. So far back as the year 1448, Christian I, of Oldenburg succeeded to the crown of Denmark, and in 1460 he was elected to the sovereignty of the two duchies of Schleewig- Holstein, and there was an old charter that the two duchies should remain for ever undivided. However much people may dispute the title, I think those who study the question will agree that the relations between Denmark and the duchies were of a purely dynastic and personal kind, the same as the relations between this country and Hanover. It is neces sary to remember that the local Governments of Holstein and Schleswig were entirely apart from Denmark; and since 1605 the succession to the crown of Denmark was by females, but in the duchies the succession was strictly restricted to males, It is not necessary for my subject to go further than that. In the year 1846 Christian VIII., being afraid of the extinction of his dynasty, issued his famous letters patent, and those letters patent were the cause of all the con fusion that has arisen. He recognised explicitly the union between Holstein and Schleswig, but in 1848 a democratic revolution broke out in Copenhagen, and a new King, Frederick VII., threw himself into the arms of the Eider Danish party, whose object was to let Holstein go, but to incorporate Schleswig with Denmark. In 1848 the Prus sians, after a conflict with the Danes, established a peace with them; but the duchies still holding out, were routed by the Danes at the battle of Eisted, on the 25th of July, 1850, and Austria and Prussia then stepping in, in spite of their promises, proposed to the duchies an ignominious peace. The Confederation, in the first place, took the fatal step, in the eyes of the inhabitants of Schleswig-Holstein, and gave up the political union of the duchies, which had been recognised for ages, and had been guaranteed as re cently as 1846 by Christian VIII. Denmark gave up ti e incorporation, and gave solemn pledges that at e would never again endeavour to incorporate Schles7;ig with Den mark. She also guaranteed separat..4 legislation to the internal affairs of Schleswig and --- rei.olstein. These terms never were submitted to t' - eie States of Schleswig and Holstein. The hon. s e entleman having thus given a brief outline of the political history of the States, turned attention to th 4 correspondence on the table of the house. Tne most material information, said the hon. gentleenan, is that conveyed in a note from the Chevalier vim Bunsen, in May, 1843, in which he shadowed out a plan for separating north and south Schleswig, giving the north to Denmark and the south to Holstein. The noble lord, then Foreign Secretary, now First Minister, amplified the suggestions of Chevalier von Bunsen, and made a pro posal that a line should be drawn across Schleswig, and gave the northern part to Denmark and the south to Hol stein. That was the proposal of the noble lord, and I find it impossible to reconcile that conduct with his conduct in 1861. After some further interference, on March 20, 1851, a great stir had been made on the ground that we were in terfering in the question of the duchies. A member got up and asked the noble lord whether there had been any nego tations on that question. Let the house bear in mind that in 1850 he had suggested this scheme, and had proposed suc cessors to the crown of Denmark, and then hear the answer to that question. The noble lord stated that a good deal had passed in regard to these points; and her Majesty's Government had studiously and systematically held them selves aloof from taking any share in these negotiations. Her Majesty's Government had confined themselves strictly to negotiations for bringing about peace between Schleswig and the Germanic Confederation. Her Majesty's Govern ment were still interesting themselves for the same object. The hon. gentleman then declared that the treaty of 1852 really originated at "Warsaw, and was promoted by the Em peror of Russia, between whom and the succession to the duchies and the crown of Denmark there were at the pre sent time only three lives. The bon. member pointed out further that Earl Granville, seeing the injustice with which this question was treated in 1852, wrote to Sir H. Wynn, the Ambassador at Copenhagen, representing that the Germanic Confederation were necessary parties to the question before it was finally settled ; bat who, on receiv ing a reply from Sir H. Wynn that his proposal had thrown the whole court into confusion, wrote again to say that the Danish Minister had given a false interpreta tion to the despatch of her Majesty's Governmento which did not require that either the Diet or the Duke of Augustenturg should be made parties to the proposed arrangement for the succession to the Crown of Denmark. The consequence of all that was that the treaty of 1852 has never been recognised by the Diet, and to this day it is con sidered by the Germanic Confederation to be in effect a nullity. This question of Schleswig-Holstein has never been discussed, and is totally misunderstood, both in this house and in the country. The opinion of German states men on this treaty was to be foiled from the memoir of the Gount von Usedom, on the 4th of February, 1862, in which he said that "in attempting to break the legitimate succes sion in the duchies violently and without free renunciation on the part of those concerned, the dangerous principle of arbitrary power is installed in the place of existing rights. The seeds of future insurrection will be shown in favour of legitimacy. I pray your Majesty may, at any risk, keep free from establishing a principle of integrity not in exist ence, but intended to be artificially created." The other day, the son of the celebrated Chevalier, on December 3, 1863, said—" King Frederick William IV. long resisted the urgent pressure of Russia, and influence in the pay of Russia, urging him to sign the treaty of 1862. I well re member my father's observations on that treaty. The first cannon shot in Europe, he said, will annihilate this most fumbling piece of diplomacy. (Hear, hear.) Have we not seen how this prophecy, made in 1852, has been tarried out, and how this most fumbling piece of diplomacy has been rent asunder by the first cannon shot in Denmark, I maintain, and I think I shall be supported by those who form the Liberal party in this country, that the King of Denmark had no right to alter the succession to his own Crown, and no right to call in the Powers of Europe to set aside the legitimate heir of the duchies ; and the noble lord had no right to call this a legal and proper mode of proceeding as he does in this despatch. The engagements of 1851-52 were solely between Austria, Prussia, and Denmark, and it is very material that the house should be in possession of what those engagement were. Denmark undertook that a common constitution should be provided for the whole mo narchy, that certain local rights should be guaranteed to the duchies of Schleswig and Holstein, and that neither of them should be incorporated with Denmark. To this day, those engagements have never been complied with. (Hear.) Denmark has systematically evaded complying with those agreements. However we may sympathise with a small State fighting a gallant battle against great odds, we are at the same time bound to consider the justice of the case, and not to forget that the small State has availed herself of her weakness, and systematically evaded complying with the agreements which she undertook to fulfil, What has been her conduct in the duchies ? It has been marked by the most arbitrary and tyrannic pleas. She has suppressed the German language. It is made penal for two or more house holds to club together and entertain a German instructor for their families. Only three people are allowed to sign a petition. In fact, she has in every way acted with the most arbitrary power to the German population of those duchies. (Hear, hear.) This does not rest merely upon German re• presentations. To prove this, the hon. gentleman quoted from the despatches and reports of Mr. Ward, Vice-consul Reynaud, and Mr. Grosvenor, to show that the liberty of the press was entirely suppressed in the duchies ; that the officials were exclusively Danes ; that the systematic attempts were made to force the Danish language on the German inhabitants ; and that the espionage of the police and gene d'armes was exceedingly irritating to the German popu lation. The first step of King Christian IX. on coming to the throne, contrary to the express stipulations which he had given twelve years before, was to proclaim the in• corporation of Schleswig with the kingdom of Denmark. (Hear, hear.) King Christian IX.'s title to the throne of Denmark may be a good one, though the Danish Parlia ment had to be dissolved three times before they could be brought to acknowledge it; but by what possible title is the Duke of Schleswig-Holstein? By no title whatever, for to this day the change has never been submitted to the Estates of the Duchies. The people claim their rightful sovereign, and deny altogether that Christian IX, is Duke of Schleswig-Holstein. I will not go into the case of the rival claimant to them, the Duke of Augustenburg, who has received somewhat hard measures at the hands of the great Powers. I do not undertake to say that he is the rightful heir, though many people in Germany think so, and the greater portion of the people in the duchies think he is the heir. It is not necessary to my argument. I only maintain that King Christian IX. is not the rightful Duke of the Estates of Schleswig-Holstein. Whatever may come of the vexed question of the succession, I do not think that an English House of Commons will fix its seal to an endea vour to force an unwelcome prince upon an unwilling people without consulting their Estates. This is not a course which I think a Liberal Government or that greater sham a Liberal party. ought to consider. (Hear.) I regret that the settle ment proposed by Earl Russell on Sept. 24, 1862, was not accepted by Denmark, because I think if it had been this war would have been prevented. The Germans were willing to adopt that settlement of the question, but Denmark,with her usual obstinacy, trading upon her weakness, held out, and would not listen to the settlement of the question. Re ferring then to the despatches written by Earl Russell, the hon. gentleman said—l only regret that he has been so in cessant in writing despatches, because, by our incessant meddling interference somehow or other this country has lost her hold in Europe, and we in fact are looked upon by the minor Powers of Germany as a troublesome meddler, markablo that her Majesty's Government in another place took very great credit for their pacific poNey. I cannot help thinking that this house has not been treated either with unfortunate position. and after the first week of interrup- tion he writes, "It will scarcely be thought surprising in England that her Majesty's Government exercises scarcely any influence in Germany as regards this dispute with Denmark. (Cheers and laughter.) And he goes on to tell her Majesty's Government, "I have to inform you that all the publicists of the University are engaged in demon strating the invalidity of the L mdon treaty." (Laughter.) Then, Sir H. Howard, writing to Earl Russell from Han over, says, " I regret to say that I have reason to appre hend that Count Pahlen is preparing to beat a retreat from the Treaty of London of 1852." But there is some thing more than that. France had been a zignitary to that treaty, Now, what did the Emperor call it ? In a letter which is open to all the world, he designated it an impudent convention condemned by events. And there is another opinion, which is very curious. Lord Wolehouse stated in another place that he not only condemned the policy of her Majesty's Government, but doubted altogether the expe diency of such treaties as that of 1852. Treaties like this must give way to inexorable logic and facts. In spite of treaties, the noble lord has seen Cracow absorbed, Poland partitioned, and Nice and Savoy annexed. He has seen the Treaty of Paris broken through, by which this country guaranteed that no descendent of Napoleon should sit upon the throne of France, and he has also declared in this house that the present dynasty was necessary to the peace of Europe. (Cheers.) Do not, then, tell me that the London Treaty of 1852 is more sacred in the eyes of this house than the Treaty of Paris of 1815. Bu', now we have got a Confer-k ence on the Danish question, and I want to know what the object of it. If it be merely to patch up the treaty of 1852, it will be a failure. (Hear, hear.) lam rather sur prised that the Government have withheld the replies of Powers to the proposals for this Conference, for I think there could be nothing more necessary for the information of this house, and I hope that the house will insist that those replies shall be laid upon the table. Now, with some surprise and some regret, I see it is the intention of a dis tinguished leader on the other side of the house to move the previous question. I hope he has entirely made up his mind on the Danish question, and I think I am entitled to ask her Majesty's Opposition what is their policy regarding Denmark. (Hear, hear.) For if merely because Lord Malmesbury signed the treaty of 1852, it is their intention to patch up the treaty, and to make a leagus with France to enforce the performance of it, then I say that no Govern ment, from whichever side of the house it is composed, which pursues such a policy can hope to gain the confidence of England. I think the noble lord beneath me (Lord Pal merston) may in the absence of any declaration of policy on the other side of the house, say, in the words of Charles IL, " No man will got rid of me to put you in my place." (Laughter.) I have endeavoured to speak on this question from , the English point of view, and to represent to the house that this country has no interest in maintaining what is called the balance of power in the north of Europe, and interfering in the affairs of another State. However eon tent the taxpayers of this country may be to pay the bur dens imposed upon them of old by foreign statesmen for interference in foreign affairs, I am sure they are not now prepared to bear any additional taxation for the sake of an unjust attempt to meddle with the affairs of Northern Europe. (Cheers.) Mr. PEACOCKE moved as an amendment a resolution approving the avowed policy of her Majest's Government to maintain at the Conference the Treaty of London of 1852. He gave a brief history of the transactions between the German Powers and Denmark, and complained of the tone of some Lord Russell's despatches. The amendment was seconded by Mr. A. EGERTON, who expressed his concurrence in the policy recognised by the Government, and deprecated the adoption of the doctrine of nationalities. Mr. G, DUFF thought the best solution of this difficult question would be obtained by going into Conference, and leaving the population of Schleswig and Holstein to decide who should be their ruler. Lord R. MONTAGU entered upon a long detailed nar rative of the transactions hetween the several Powers, with occasional comments upon the action of Earl Russell. Mr. C. BENTINCK accused the policy of the Foreign Secretary of inconsistency, by applying different principles of policy to similar cases, Mr. COCHRANE said he could testify that this country had lest immensely in moral influence in Europe since Earl Russell had been at the head of the Foreign Office, his policy having been contradictory and misleading; and he read extracts of the correspondence in support of this remark. Ho condemned the proceedings of the German Powers, and expressed strong sympathy towards Denmark. Mr. NE WDEGATE urged the importance, political and commercial, of maintaining the independence of Denmark, to which our Government, he said, should not hesitate to give its aid. Sir H. VERNEY concurred in thinking it important to uphold the independence of Denmark; the conduct of the Ring of Denmark had, however, not merely justified but obliged the German Powers, as a matter of duty, to obtain for the Duchies their rights, and the fulfilment of her pro mises by Denmark. Mr. LIDDELL likewise desired the maintenance of the integrity and independence of Denmark; but there was more than one mode of securing them. He did not desire that the object should be secured by maintaining the Treaty of 1852. If it was said that that treaty was part of the law of Europe, that law, which was hastily framed, should be amended. He believed the treaty contained the seeds of weakness to Denmark herself. With reference to the approaching Conference he confessed he had little confi dence in the prospect it offered, Mr. LAYARD confessed that be rose with great reluc tance to take part in the discussion. Upon the very eve of the Conference, it appeared to him extraordinary that this question should be Made a matter of debate in that house, (H ear.) Were it not for the fear of prejudging so important a question, he might say a great deal more with respect to it. Matters of such importance should be discussed with the greatest calmness, and not dealt with in the rollicking the toric of the hon. member for Liskeard. (Oh, oh.) The hon. member had dealt with the question upon false principles, and in a way utterly unworthy of discussion—(ch, oh)—as he had said once before, "Oh, oh" was not en argument. (Renewed cries of "Oh, oh.) The question of succes sion had more to do with the matter than the hon. mem ber supposed. It was involved in the greatest difficulty, and it had puzzled the most learned heads in Germany. The regulation of that question was the very thing wished for by all the Powers in Europe, and the only object the British Government had in view was not the accession of the son of the Duke of Oldenburg, but what they required wes that somebody should succeed in case the king died without direct heirs. He explained that the treaty of 1852, or any other treaty, was very distinct from a protocol, and denied that the treaty bound the British Government to anything like a guarantee. Far from having nothing to do but sign that treaty, he had a good deal to do in the nego tiation of it, and was justly proud that he had done some thing for the peace of Europe. Earl Granville also advo cated the communication of that treaty to the Diet, but was opposed by Austria, Russia, and Prussia on the ground that it was giving the Diet a privilege it had no right to enjoy. The hon. gentleman had taken great trouble to ascertain what the attributes of Schleswig-Holstein were. Now, as far as he (Mr Layard) could understand, the States of Schleswig and llo'stein had no poker whatever; their were merely provincial States, their powers were limited, and they had no powers whatever in a treaty of this nature. The treaty, however, did not settle the question of succes- sion at all. At that period there was no Parliament in Den- courtesy or candour in regard to this question, because hon. mark at all—the Rigsdag (not the Rigsrad) had the power, gentlemen will remember that in the Queen's speech on the and acted as the representatives of the people, To that 4th of February the following passage occurred :—" Her Rigsdag the law of succession was referred, and after some Majesty has been unremitting in her endeavours to bring disagreement they agreed to repeal the lex regioc. That was about a settlement of the questions which have arisen be- the real thing which altered the succession in Denmark, and tween Germany and Denmark, and to ward off the dangers not the treaty. That step was communicated to the Diet by which might follow the beginning of war in the north of proclamation, and the question of succession was never Europe." But on the 18th January, 1864, the noble lord raised again until the last few months. With regard to the was instructing Lord Cowley to ascertain whether France position of the duchies and Denmark her Majesty's Govern would co-operate with England and Russia—(hear, hear)— ment had incessantly called upon Denmark to fulfil her and, on the 24th January, Lord Cowley explained that promises ; but he admitted she had not done so. The en material assistance to Denmark meant a league. In fact, it gagements she had entered into were difficult to fulfil. She meant war. (Cheers.) Her Majesty's Government actu- had engaged to give equal representation to Schleswig and ally proposed to go to war with Germany, and were only Holstein in the Parliament of Denmark ; and that would prevented by the wise and prudent conduct of France. If have given much larger respresentation to the duchies than ever a nation could, like an individual, exclaim, " Save me to Denmark, The house had been reminded of an answer from my friends," it is the unfortunate State of Denmark. given by the noble lord last year that, under circumstances, It is said that Denmark had no reason to rely upon this Denmark should not be left alone. Well, the weight given country. I deny it altogether. The obstinacy displayed to that answer was much greater than it deserved. (Ironi by Denmark proceeded from the hopes held out to her by cal cheers and laughter.) That answer was given before Ministers in this place. (Hear,) The ministerial papers dealt the death of the King, and when Germany had no legiti . not merely with the names of the regi m e n t s t o b e sen t, b u t ma t e groun d o f comp l a i n t aga i nst D enmar k on the question I saw one of them which even gav e th e name o f th e com - o f success i on . S uppos i ng th ere h a d b een a wan t o n aggres. mender. (Hear.) These unfortunate D anes ca l cu l a t e d, no s i on on D enmar k w ith ou t ,tr, 1101 natlUD -it i s h Govern doubt, that they would have assi s ta nce di rec t f rom thi s coma - men t m i g ht hay`...nitous merits, constituting torentem :B. try. The noble lo r d, i n re ply t o a ques ti on pu t t o hi m b y p l ate d b y t h, , eptional charm, fascination, witche4'B the hon. member for Horsham (Mr. S. Fitzgerald) made use Goverrenee we not call it ? of Rmsini's latest,'" of these words—" I am convinced that if any violent at- suppoteni's greatest opera " Guglielmo Tell." It is tempt were made to overthrow or interfere with the lade- ch"—let us say this at once, however, now that we pendence of Denmark, those who made th e a tt em pt would 'e referring thus poi n t e dl y to t h e espec i al an d die find in the result that it would not be Denmark alone with nctive claims of " Gugli e l rco T e ll" upon our a d m i re i i whom they would have to contend." I thi n k:th a t i s pre tt y . strong for the First Minister of th e C rown; b u t h e goe ton—it is not that thi s G ran d O pera can b e sa id to on—" Ido not myself anticipat e an y i mme di a t e d anger , e abound in those most exqu i s i te crown i ng g i fts to us goldensaoll of fr o u m el na thertlgye largess )8 a (t n €hg d a ut ofawn we treasure et n rr y ee da sa r ur ro a e get u un m pd u t b s h y i e c n a s l eo em c o m r ot phte themor — t a e 0 : 1 indeed, any remote dang er , w hi c h th e h on . gen tl e 3 seems to think imperils th e p eace o f E uro p e aris i ng this Schleswig-Holstein and D an i s h ques ti on ." (H e on think I can prove that th e D an i s h G overnmen t die speak, as so m an y p rec i ous amulets—those HauniUstria t a hat as a promise. Sir A. Paget, in relating, Oct. 14, i todies th a t once heard are never furgottenrY , conversationwhich he had had with the Danish Minish Melodies, w e mean , t h a t are the Glories of Solen b ermen t states that the Mi n i s t er sa id, "If th e ques ti on must la, they in settled by an appeal to arms, it had better be now," and he em Complete in originality, each, so to e er these cir t went on to rem ar k th a t "D enmar k w ill no t s t an d a l one ," cu en tire a nd perfect chrysolite." It ie ' save been jus- Why, these a re th e p rec i se wor d s w hi c h h a d f a ll en f rom t h e tified ..- • . - ".as long as they noble lord. (H ear .) A n d aga i n , i n rep l y t o a d es p a t c h declared the.,s Gugielmo Tell utliV emberment of the from the Dani s h Mi n i s t er , on F e b. 11, 1864, E a rl R u ssell D an i s h monarc hy, Qratic maaterpiec j . [An hon. gentle gives an assurance that the active assistance of England man opposite: No, nthe gt me of son ;entleman gives an will not fail them under the present circumstances. It ironical "No ;" and wal jubilation of but that we ought 811 °'.:aid not be forgotten that these despatches have been to go to war? (Minisvn in this cou , ' d a cry of" No.") ' considerably curtailed, and lam surprised that the noble Well, then, he asked, ay... , tar with the lord opposite (Lord R. Cecil) does not move that the Under (Laughter) Was he to 0 . . 1 at when Austria and gentleman mean ? he of go to war" it was Secretary in this house should be dismissed for mutilating Prussia invaded Denmai m g , "" 1 ' Government ought to them. (Laughter.) The pertinacity with which the noble go to war. (No.) Whbreat re lord clings to the treaty of 1852—his latest child, the result calved with ironical them (it matt asked, What did they of diplomatic dalliance with Russia—(laughter;—is almost mean ? (Ministerial cheor to Soma said they had dis ridiculous. Earl Eussell writes to Sir A. Malet, on 26th honoured and humiliated mous c ry. (Opposition cheers.) Dec., 1863, that if anybody has the impertinence to talk of These assertions were difti ce , deal with in that house, Christian IX, as a protocol prince he is to interrupt the but he confessed he did not e my humilia'ion in endea speaker. (Laughter.) Sir A. Malet is placed in a most vouring, as far as possible, too e lep this country out of war. ;Counter cheers,) If the hon. gentleman who had given him those ironical cheers would get up and answer his speech, lot him do so. They were not principles in the case--they had not been meddling. (Cries of "Oh, oh," and laughter.) There was a great deal of difference between mediation and intervention, an there had been no inter vention at all. Unfortunately, her ➢Tajesty's Government had not been able to prevent the war from becoming generalised into a great European war. He believed that was what the country thought, and that would be also the opinion of the house when the question came to be impar tially considered. (Hear, hear., , On the hon. gentleman resum;ng his seat, Mr. Disraeli and Mr. Kinglaks rose together. There were some calls for the latter gentleman, but he eventually gave way. Mr. DISRAELI said—l wish to express to the house the reasons which induced me to give notice of moving the previous question on the motion of the hon. member for Liskeard. lam anxious, on the part of myself and of many who sit OR this side of tie house, to take as early an opportunity as I can to give those reasons, because it has been stated that proposing the previous question in this discussion implies a certain degree of confidence in the foreign policy of her Majestr's Government; but, as I am very much indisposed to gain votes under false pre tences, I beg to state that I have no confidence whatever in the foreign policy of her Majesty's Government—(bear, hear, and laughter)—and that it is not from being animated by any sentiment of that character that I have given notice of this contingent amendment. I think the foreign policy of her Majesty's Government, especially during the past year, has been such as very justy to occasion great anxiety and great apprehension in this country. I think that the course which was pursued in re;ard to the insurrection in Poland—a matter which is intitaately connected with this affair of Denmark—was one which certainly disentitled it to the confidence of this house. I have l.efore referred to the total want of system which seemed to characterise the management of foreign affairs by the present Administra tion, and I think the climax of mismanagement was reached in the conduct of her Majesty's Government with respect to the Polish insurrection, and its diplomatic communica tion on that subject both with Pence and with Russia, The noble lord (Palmerston), on kWh occasions when I ex • pressed that opinion, said that I was dissatisfied with the Government because they had net gone to war with Russia in the interests of Poland. I Mould have thought that if the Government of England hal gone to war with Russia for Poland, although I, as every other man in this house, look upon the partition of Poland as one of the most de plorable events of modern tirres—(hear)—still I should have looked upon the fact of l'ngland list year going to war with Russia for the sake A Poland to have been an act of insanity—not less an *et of insanity than going to war with Germany, which her Majesty's Ministers appear to have been quite p.epared to do only a few months ago. In conducting tose negotiations, we held out expectations to France of co-operating with her in regard to the Polish insurrection, which wo were not jus tifi3d in doing, because the course which we apparently con templated was opposed to every principle of English policy which any English Minister vas authorised at any time to contemplate. Her Majesty's Government took a line with regard to the insurrection in Poland which anticipated the traditionary policy of France; and when France—encou raged by those representation, by speeches in this house, by despatches out of every regales course of diplomatic com munication, and by extraordiaary statements made by Earl Russell—was taking a line asd preparing to follow a policy which she believed to be perfectly consonant with her in terests, we were under the necessity of suddenly thawing back and leaving France ins position which she has can didly acknowledged was one which impai red her di g nit y and self-respect in the eyes of the world. I say we were not jus.. tified in taking such a course, It has been o ne of the g ravest errors of modern times so tohave managed our negotiations with Russia with respect tc Poland, that we should have placed a Power like France in so false a position. The in direct consequences of that Act in influencing the position of Denmark aro great and deplorable. This question of Den• mark and the duchies, originally a small question, consider ing their population and resources, it is impossible to sup pose could have reached the present deplorable condition if there had been what there was originally, a thorough understanding and a sincere similarity of opinion on the matter between England, France, and Russia. That un derstanding, as regards France, had been destroyed by your haughtily and even rudely refusing her proposition for a Congress. Almost within 48 hours of that refusal you were obliged, as it were, to appeal to her for assistance in this matter of Denmark and the duchies, which has led to the serious result of a bloody and destructive war, which has shaken the peace of Europ e , a nd may not even now be settled with out a general outbre a k of hostilities. T hat bein g the state of affairs, it may possibly be sa id so gentlemen on this aide, If these are your views, why have you not brought this state of the management of our foreign relations before the consideration of the House for their adjudication? I think myself, the answer to that is perfectly satisfactory. The state of affairs I have sketched existed before Parliament met. It was after Parliament was prorogued last y ear that the crowning absurdities of our negotiations with Russia were accomplished, It was during the recess that the estrangement with France, on account of our refusal to as sent to the Congress, occurred; and it was before Parlia ment met that the state of affairs with regard to Denmark had assumed their most critical character. When Parlia ment met, we were without the documents which are usuall y placed immediately on the ta bleOf the house, and which are the only foundation upon which you can with success move in a matter of this kind in the House of Commons. It is very well for the hon. member opposite (Mr. B. Osborne) to get up without any responsibility, make a motion, and say to me, or to other gentlemen on this bench, " Why did you not come forward and declare your polic y ? and if y ou disapprove of the foreign policy of her Majesty's Govern ment, why did you not ask the opinion of the house upon it." At no time should a vote amounting to a vote of want of confidence be li g htly brought forward ; but I maintain that in the pres ent state of Euro p e, and in the present position of nearly balanced parties, to bring forward a question i t :wining the foreign policy of the Government, without at the same time having every reasonable chance and condition of success, would be an act of the greatest imprudence and of the most unjus tifiable character. In bringing forward such a question, the two conditions which I hold to be absolutely necessary to any chances of success were, first, that we should have all those documents which the House of Commons has a right to expect from the Government in explanation and vindication of their policy; and , secondl y , that we should be in possession of sufficientin formation, and that th e Mini ster should not be ablo tc answer u s b y saying, tc Negotia tions are going on; you are interfering in those negotiations, and you must take the responsibility of such a course." Now, how have we been placed in regard to these two con ditions ? In regard to the possession of papers, it was nearly four weeks after Parliament met that we had what may be called the first batch of papers. It was not till after Easter Gentlemenows e t e to t e a l d othatncertainty.t thehis p t csu h ierdnno a esd t s puwewerrecee were oesgnoontfot thesetht haejceui conferencefr r soc e tri m efimi ge a sd i n n t ai pdaneocrl bringing cars a ,m n lo d as; then etdh w aa t e m policy n o g f i n t hge forwardGovernment, a form a l vote (Hear.)of The Conference is to meet to-morrow, and I shall not be snit:Bnd to hear that an armistice is the first thing:to be an nounced. It is a necessary conse4iientie of events which I consider disgraceful and deplorable—(cheers)--but wliicii still are events of great magnitude. We are on the eve of this Conference. It is to meet in this city, in this parish, within the sound of the bell which we hear at the present moment—(a laugh)—and this is the moment when we are asked to give an opinion on the present state of affairs. The motions before the house are suggestions of ',bases for the Conference. Now, I beg leave to say that, though I should be the last man to diminish the attributes and functions of the House of Commons, I do not think the House of Com mons is exactly the place where the basis of a Conference ought to be devised. (Hear.) Then what course ought we to take ? My opinions on public affairs have been intimated pretty freely since Parliament met, although I have not felt justified in asking the house to pass a formal censure on the Government. Bat I reserve to myself the right. (Op position cheers.) The session is not yet at an end, and why should we hurry to a decision. Before Easter we were taunted because we did not ask the opinion of the house on the foreign policy of the Government. It is the fashion now to taunt the Opposition because they have not a policy; of 1852 is a document of that description, and my noble friend at the head of the Foreign Office is perfectly justified in telling his plenipotentiary, when anybody talked of the treaty of 1852 as en instrument which may be violated, that he must remind them that it was a treaty which every sovereign who had ratified it was bound to observe. (Hear, hear.) All the Powers who are parties to that treaty, and whose plenipotentiaries are to meet to-mor row, acknowledge the validity and obligation of the treaty of 1852, and therefore the case which is contem plated by the questions and answers to which allusion has been made, of the intended dismemberment of the Danish monarchy, has not arisen. As far as any share which fell to my lot in the preparation of that treaty, I am proud to have had anything to do with the conclusion of that arrange ment ; but the merit of concluding the treaty rested with the Government of Lord Derby. Lord Malmesbury signed and concluded the treaty itself; and, therefore, if there is merit it must be divided between us, and if there is blame the right hon. gentleman must share it. (A laugh.) I think then the course which the right hon. gentleman proposed to take is the right course for the house on the present ques tion. I think that for this house, on the eve of the meeting of,the Conference of the different Powers who concluded the treaty of 1852, for the purpose of endeavouring to restore peace and establishing an armistice—l think that any strong expression of opinion of this house would tend to impede the successful result of the negotiations which are going to take place. Therefore I concur with the right hon. gentleman, that the course which this house can most usefully take on the present occasion will be to concur with him in his mo tion for the previous question, and I am prepared to be his follower upon this question—(laughter)—and so far to give him that confidence which he refuses to give to me, and fol low him into the lobby on the motion of the previous ques tion. (Cheers and laughter.) but it should be remembered that we are the con stitutionat critics of public affairs. The originators of measures—the individuals who come forward with schemes and sugges tions for public approbation—are not the Opposition, but the'Ministers of the Crown; and we sit here to criticise the suggestions which they bring forward. (Hear.) With fe gard to the maaagement of Danish affairs, my opinion is the same which I have expressed. It appears to me that it is entirely owing to the conduct of their negotiations with regard to Poland that we have come to this deplorable con eitction which we have now occupied for many months. As whicshe argument of the Under-Secretary, "Are you for of us stir are you not? there is the issue," I deny the whole The L (Cheers.) Things have been so managed by the opera ; ,ment that they are brought into a position which, if " sad managed affairs with earnestness, and at the same Ma ~with conciliation, they would never have occupied. ziald this position of the Government is one which may P some day or other drift us into a war. And now I have given to the house the reasons why it has not been in , our power to raise the question of confidence in the Go vernment of the country with those fair conditions of success which a man who counsels such a course in Par- Mr. KINGLAKE said it was with the greatest reluc tance he found himself obliged to rise to address the house atter the two leaders of the house had spoken. He merely rose in consequence of having an amend ment on the paper. The noble lord began by say ing that the near approach of the Conference was a circumstance which forced upon him so great reserve that anything like free discussion was impossible. But the amendment which he (Mr. Kinglake) had given notice of was founded upon the noble lard's want of reserve. It was founded on the fact that the noble lord, a few days ago while knowing that the Conference was impending, came down to that house and stated that the present King of Denmark was to be declared to be in the Conference the lawful Sovereign of the people of the duchies. He entirely agreed with what had fallen from the Under-Secretary when he stated that there was no justification for a war with Germany on the part of England in this matter. Now that it was known there was to be no war, this country was open to the taunts of thom3 enemies who said that England was acknowledging by her acts that she was bound in honour to go to war for Denmark, but not do so in reality. He could not eat think that it was a lamentable state of things to establish, and ' one that was attended with danger. He thought that it was of great importance for the honour of this country to show that it did not cling to peace for any base motive, but because a war would be alto gether unjustifiable. (Hear, hear.) In conclusion, the hon. member deprecated their misinterpreting the principle of nationality—a principle for which in other cases England had shown such respect, and placing themselves in antagon ism to Europe, not in order to prevent war, but to obstruct peace. (Hear, hear.) No other member rising to address the house, the Speaker was about to put the question, when Colonel W. PATTEN invited the right hon. gentleman's attention to the fact that there were three amendments before the house—(cries of No, no)—and he wanted to know what would be the effect of their votes. For his part ho intended to vote for the previous question, and in order that that amendment might eventually come before the house, ho believed their proper course was to vote for the motion of the hon, member for Liskeard in the first instance Mr. B. OSBORNE—I believe I shall simplify this question by saying that I am so satisfied with the dis cussion which has taken place—(ironical laughter)—so satis fied with the reserve displayed by the Under Secretary lot Foreign Affairs, in his now capacity as the representative of decency and delicacy—(much laughter, and cries of " Oh, oh")—so satisfied with the reserve of the noble lord—and, above all, so convinced that this treaty of '52 is a dead letter (loud cries of hear, hear, and no, no) —which will never patch up the so-called integrity of Denmark. (No, no.) Well, we shall see that ; I am content to be justified by the event, But so satisfied am I upon all these points, that I shall simplify the course of matters by—like the noble lord —becoming a follower of the right hon. gentleman opposite for this occasion. (Laughter.) _ _ . liament would be mad if he did not command, (Op position cheers.) It would have been an act of absolute in sanity for us to have brought forward such a motion if the Government could say, "You have not got the requi site information, and you are bringing forward the ques tion when we are about to carry on negotiations for its settlement." Now that this conference is about to assemble, and, as I hope and believe, with a speedy if not an home diate announcement of an armistice, I cannot undertake the responsibility of challenging the Government and throwing additional obstacles in the way of the difficult task they have to accomplish. (Cheers.) But at the same time I do not want our situation to be misunderstood. We reserve our right, as we have done from the first, to ask the house to give their opinion on the course taken by her Majesty's Government with respect to the management of their foreign affairs. (Opposition cheers.) It is, I think, one of the first duties of those who are the leaders of parties to take care not always to fight their battles on. ground selected by their opponents. (Cheers.) We consider that we are the best judges of the question; but do not let the house suppose that, in making this motion of the previous question, any degree of confidence is implied on our part in the conduct of foreign affairs—(laughter)—and do not let the noble lord and his colleagues for one moment suppose that we shall not take the first fitting opportunity to ask the house to give its judgment on that policy, (Loud cheers,) Lord PALMERSTON—I should have hoped that the right hon. gentleman had been sufficiently aware of the feeling that we have with regard to his judgment, and the judgment of those who follow him, in respect to our con duct. We never could have fallen into the delusion of supposing that he reposed confidence in us. (Hear, hear.) We do not expect it; it is not in th e nature of things that we should ; and I can assure him that the dis claimer on his part was by no means necessary. (Laughter.) But it it had been in doubt, that which had fallen from the right hon. gentleman would have been well calculated to dispel it, and to give us a right view of the matter. I did not, however, expect that, in a debate on Danish affairs, we should have been called upon to discuss the question of Poland or the question of the Congress. But the right hon. gentleman, in blaming our conduct through out the whole of the transactions to which he has referred, has omitted, so far as can follow him, to explain what it was we ought to have done. He has blamed us for what we did, but he has omitted to state in what aspect our con duct might have been altered for the better. The right hon. gentleman has blamed the conduct which we pursued in re gard to the affairs of Poland, but he has eaid that it would have been insanity in the English Government to have gone to war with Russia on behalf of Poland. Well, then, what other course would he have had us to pursue ? Are we to infer that,while on the one hind he considered war t o be in sanity, on the other hand he thought silence could have been proper ? It was impossible that the English Government could have been silent on the affairs of Poland, for scarcely a fortnight passed last year without an expression on the part of members of this house, and more especially of mem bers on the other side of the house—(Ministerial cheers) — urging the Government to take steps to remonstrate with the Russian Government upon what was believed to be a violation ot the engagements o! the Treaty of Vienna with regard to Poland. And we were urged not only to express our own opinion, but the opinion of this house and ot the country ; and we were urged not only to express English opinion, but also to endeavour to collect in a body the opinions of all the Powers of Europe, in order that the ccllected opinions of Europe might sway the Government of Russia, and induce them to do that which they ought to have done. The steps we took with regard to Poland were steps which were urged upon us by the opinion of this helve and the public opinion of the country, and we should have been liable to a vote of censure if we had not done that which the unanimous opinion of the house and of the country called upon us im peratively to do. Therefore, sir, until the right hon, gen tleman tells us what we ought to have done, we are entitled to say that the conduct we have pursued with regard to Poland does not deserve the censure which he has passed upon us. War, as he said, would have been unfit ting. Diplomatic interference was repeatedly urged upon us, and we were told that we ought to endeavour to collect the opinions of all the other Powers of Europe. We did so, and we failed in our object, but the failure was not our fault. And when the right hon. gentlemen says that we allured France to a position which led her to humiliation, I utterly deny that statement. (Hear, hear.) There was no humiliation for France. Like Spain, Austria, and Prussia, France joined with us in urging upon the Government of Russia the fulfilment of the obligations of the Treaty of Vienna. Russia admitted the obligations, and said she would perform them when peace and tranquillity were re stored, and we, therefore, gained a point, and there was no humiliation suffered by any of the Powers concerned. That which we did was in harmony with the wishes of this house and of the country; and, so far from France being humi liated, I say that she acted a part on which she may look back with satisfaction, although it was not attended with the desired result. Well, sir, then as to the Congress, We aro brought back to a discussion on that subject. I think when the question was discussed in this house, we gave unanswerable reasons why we should not accept the offer which was made to us; and as for our giving a rude answer, I utterly deny that there was anything rude in our answer. We put forward a plain state ment of the reasons why we thought the Congress would lead to no useful result, and why we did not feel ourselves at liberty to accept the oiler made to us. So far as regards that which has gone by. No, Sir, the right hon. gentleman has at considerable length stated the reasons why he, and those who act with him, have not thought fit, in respect to this Danish affair, to call upon the house to pronounce an opinion as to the policy of her Majesty's Government. I, in all sincerity, think the right hon. gentleman has made out a case to the satisfaction of his own party—(laughter)—for I admit that there has been no moment at which, consistently with parliamentary practice, and with the real interests of his party, he could properly have called upon the house to express an opinion on the transactions which are going on. But that was uo fault of ours. (Hear, hear.) We gave him the papers as soon as they were ready to he presented, and we gave him the papers up to the latest moment. But these transactions were going on from week to week and from month to month, and consequently there was no moment at which we could give him up to the very time all papers which had passed up to that moment. We could only give them by instalments, and the right hon. gentleman was right in saying that, having these papers elways iu arrear, ho would always have been met by the statement that cir cumstances had changed since the period up to which the papers came, that negotiations were going on, and that any discussion on the subject might be prejudicial. The right hon. gentleman stated two reasons why he could not hope for success in such a motion ; and I quite admit the weight and justice of those reasons. Perhaps, however, I may presume to suggest a third reason, which may not have occurred to the right honourable gentleman's mind—that the opinion of the house and of the country in respect of ths se negotiations is such, that he could not hope for success. (Cheers and laughter.) I think the right hon. gentleman is right in the course which he has pursued, or means to pursue this evening. For the reasons stated by my hon. friend in the outset of his speech, it is exceedingly difficult for a member of the Government, on the eve of a Conference consisting of the representative of different Powers duly assembled to discuss a great and important European event, to speak without the greatest reserve upon matters which are to be the subject of discussion and delibe beration in that Conference. Therefore I am precluded by the condition in which we stand from following my hon. friend the member for Liskeard in the long and elaborate discussion which he made at the beginning of the evening on the general question connected with Danish affairs and the treaty of 1852. All I can say is, that I repeat what my hon. friend the Under Secretary has said—that perpetual confusion arises from not defining and bearing in mind the distinction between a protocol and a treaty—a protocol being simply an engagement by plenipotentiaries, which may be disavowed by the Government, and a treaty being a docu ment not only signed by the plenipotentiaries, but ratified by the hands of the sovereign, and therefore binding upon the state whose sovereign has piped the treaty. The treaty Mr. PEACOCKE—Ia that case I do not press my amendment. _ Mr. B. OSBORNE—I beg to say that I withdraw my motion. (Cries of no, no.) The SPEAKER said that if the hon. member was not permitted to withdraw his motion, that would be the oppor tunity to move the previous question. Mr. DISRAELI then moved the previous question, which was eventually carried ; Mr. Osborne's motion being negatived without a div.sion. COURT OF CHANCERY (IRELAND). Mr. O'HAGEN moved for leave to introduce a bill amending the constitution and the procedure of the Irish Court of Chancery, which was grounded upon the report of the Irish Law and Equity Commission. After some discussion, Mr. P. HENNESSY moved the adjournment of the debate. The house divided. The motion was loet by a majority of 23, the numbers being 28 for the motion and 67 against it. Mr. WHITESIDE then moved the adjournment of the house. Colonel DUNNE seconded the motion. Mr. O'HAGAN, under these circumstances, declined to press the introduction of the bill then. HIGH COUR I: OF BOMBAY. This bill passed through committee. CUSTOMS AND INLAND REVENUE BILL. This bill was introduced by the CHANCELLOR of the EXCHEQUER, and read a first time. BILLS OF EXCHANGE (IRELAND). Sir C. O'LOGHLAN obtained leave to bring in a bill to remove certain restrictions on the negotiation of promissory notes and bills of exchange under a limited sum, in Ireland, which was read a first time. The house then adjourned. 7durder of a Female. _-- r Two young mon, named Richard Miles and James Batchelor, were examined at the coin;ty magistrates' office, at Sevenoaks, on Monday, on a charge of L'aving murdered a woman, named Bridget Goodall, on the nign: of the 9th inst., near Westerham. The facts showed that a very atrocious crime had be:.'n committed. The deceased woman, who was generally known in the neighbourhood as " Irish Nell," was in the General Wolfe publichouse, at Westerham, on the night of the 9th ina t,, drinking, until about 19 o'clock, when she left. The prisoners were also in the house, and they departed about the same time. On the following morning, between five and six o'clock, the body of the deceased was found in a road called Water-lane. She was lying on her back, quite dead, and her appearance altogether indicated that she had been subjected to the most shocking treatment. Her face was pressed sideways close against the ground, and her bon net was bent up and had a quantity of blood on it. In one of her hands was some hair. The body was examined by Mr. Rathill, surgeon, who stated that death resulted from congestion of the brain, caused either by a blow or stran gulation. He added that his impression was that one person held her down whilst some one else abused her. It was then ascertained that the unfortunate creature was seen with two men about 1 o'clock on the night in question near Water lane, and a little later screams and groans of a female were heard, and the footsteps of a man running down the lane were heard. In consequence of information conveyed to the police, Superintendent Coleman, of the Sevenoaks division, went to the house of the prisoner Batchelor, and he admit ted having been in her company on the previous Saturday evening. Batchelor then accompanied the officer to the , lodging o f M iles, the other prisoner, and he also admitted having been with Batchelor, and that they were with her down the London-road. The superintendent then took them into custody, and on the waistcoat of Batchelor and his "slop" were found some smears of blood. He stated that he had scratched his face. On the ball of the left hand of Miles was found some blood, which was dry. Mr. Richards baying add, eased the Bench on behalf of the prisoner, they were fully committed for trial at the next assizes. Persons who have been in the habit of paying weekly as borrowers of Sewing Machines will do well to apply at once and become members of Messrs. Watts and Co.'s Sewing Machine Clubs. By so doing they will not only save the money they now foolishly throw away, but at the same time secure to themselves the possession of one of the best and most celebrated sewing machines in the world. Every in formation given on application ; or by letter addressed, with a stamped envelope, to Messrs. Watts and Co., 12, Beaufort buildings, Strand, London, W.C., where mem rs are en rolled daily between 10 and 4; Saturdays, 10 and% [ADVERTISEMENT.]—Consumption, all nervous, bilious, liver, and stomach complaints, in every stage, are only ag gravated and accelerated by drugs of every description, but perfeoJy curable by Du Barry's health restoring Revalenta Arabica Food, as proved by thousands of cases which had been considered hopeless. We quote a few.—Cure No. 62,914. Miss Lange, 18 years of age, cured after the medical men had abandoned all hopes of her recovery from the last stage of pulmonary consumption, with fearful cough, expectoration, exhaustion, spitting of blood, perspirations, hollow cheeks, emaciated to a skeleton. She is now, thank God, a perfectly healthy, blooming, fleshy girl.—N. Lange, Commissaire de Police. Cure, No. 46,270. Mr. James Roberts, of Print ley Surrey, of thirty years' diseased lungs, spitting of blood, liver derangement, and partial deafness.—Cure, No. 47,121. Miss Elizabeth Jacobs, of extreme nervousness, indigestion, gatherings, low spirits, and nervous fancies.—Cure, No. 54,816. The Rev. James I'. Campbell, Fakenham, Norfolk, of indigestion and torpidity of the liver, which had resisted all medical reatment. In tins, lib, 2s 9d ; 21b, 45 6d ; 51b, 11s; 121 b, 225; 241 b, 40s. Barry du Barry and Co., No. 77, Regent-street, London ; also Fortnum and Mason; and all grocers and chemists in every town of the United Kingdom. Gold Speculators in New York. Cquoisn °6 The Washington correspondent of the stock° , gold or . „ Gazette gives the following account of the Ne vi York gold market :—" Whether in tee everything in Wall-street depends upon ua is no t a lee d ' earliest news, and consequently there ing stock-dealing firm in New York tg 'a have from one to a half-dozen corres.Ponaell— in Washington, charged to spare no pains or "P en . nerally la in furnishing them, by telegraph, and gel c eess or cipher, the earliest intelligence of any en that d i oes "gileo ty disaster in the field, any important action of t h° Treasury Department, any rumour of fore! a ffect th e plications—in short, anything likely to find their hopes or fears of the community, which e . r e-. barometer in the wavering of the gold In. „ cie d to These correspondents are generally men sup to . have the confidence of the officials, or access to ell despatches ; and, for obvious reasons, their engag e meat is kept as secret as possible. Last ounim er en t ° New York banking house, in a boastful in°lnent; claimed that it could always h a ve news wit hin hour after the President had it ; and another w O6 said to have numberL d among its correspondentstoui chief of staff of a groat army in the field' ea course the services of such men are not enlist tp without a 'consideration' proportionate at onc e 0 the risks they run in furnishing the desired Pell and to the nature and accuracy of the news itse io In general this consideration depends on w het o f made out of their information. Occasionally otte., these correspondents make a lucky strike--n 370 more often he furnishes news for weeks and 0 1013 to• without its having such an effect on the market to bring him more than the merest driblets ohe e ' lo But the chance of something brilliant' : fa , fascinations, and the stock oneraters have no d ' oll culty in inducing well-informed people to fur n o l o , them all the news they get. A bureau of th e r d.. vernment resolves to recommend a - tax on a P e ' hes cular article—before the recommendation role' a Congress, certain parties in New York have it, en d have bought up all the article they can get; n it when the rise comes they pocket the proceed hoe seems utterly impossible to prevent this. W po t news of important battles is coming in, Govern hl o has sometime attempted it, but the effort was as et o t as it was foolish. A censor has been establi sheu e d the telegraph office, and he has wisely suPP res plos every despatch saying a word about the war. • a servant girl comes in with a hurried scrawl ! II a torn sheet of delicately-scented French paPe r :f t h lady's hand—' George H. Montgomery, Avenue Hotel, New York. Do come home at wo, Mary cannot live 24 hours longer—Laura g° lltg o, mery.' How can he stop that ? But t Ge°rg ° to e Montgomery' is a myth, and Mary's illness O le . o , Hooker's defeat, and the hotel clerk has b een o eructed to send any such despatch by the sP eedi t e be means to somebody's bank down town ; an d of firm makes the money, and the Government OP a keeps blinking like an owl over the d es patcheoo tle • rigidly stopping everything relating to the si ns and and Mr. Staunton felicitates himself over ha ll o t made those newspaper pests send their accounts is mail rather than by telegraph ! ' How little se° se co takes to run a Government,' said some wise roan! v ,i1 :0; during the summer a leading newspaper e ditor D o disgusted, and determined that the gold Pe l le should not monopolise all the early news- P i ci t ber went into the cipher business too, but being rl'A 0 raw at it his first e ff ort was not quite so go°"bat some subsequent ones. He forwarded the e et tf to his leading Washington correspondent. •L soon the operators in his city who kne w . bed bea solely as a devoted newspaper man, were asteaLe4. at receiving for him this dispatch from We etl eo l st ton :—' Have sold for you 15,000 bushels of en "; tr, 35. The market looks squally.' The Pop e ;:ot nounced the next morning that the main h°,1,,,f0 Lee's army had crossed the Maryland line, 0 of moving moving into Pennsylvania ; and his chief ri ve ' very mad and complained to the War DePar t t„i it that he was bribing the telegraph company; v; ot e was whispered about among his friends thol.nto and-so was neglecting his business and goi n g 1 30 very rash speculations, and—he caangeo. cipher." COUNTRY MARKETS. LEEDS—TUESDAY. a the There was a fair attendance of millers to-day. ( 1 1 .40 5 show of grain was not large. We quote the prices 0174 0 Is per qr lower, and at this decline the business paosw i riO very small. Oats and beans made late rates, Dario,' firm. MARKET HARBOROUGH—TuEsnAIt. fle White wheat, 40s to 44s ; red, 37s to 42 8 pe r 36 0w 0 .4 Malting barley at 32s to 363 per qr. ; grinding, 270 tOf 30 per 30 st. Oats, old, 26s to 265; new, 218 to 230 st. ; beans, 3os to 42s per qr. LIVE RP 0 L—TUESDAY. There was a fair attendance both of town an d ~.liirC dealers at market to-day ; however, the day being li,eott and fine, little disposition to buy was evinced. e t with a slow sale, may be quoted id to 2 d per 1001 b ,o I tao clO on the week. Flour neglected, and where sales Or% Or 4 rather lower rates had to be submitted to. Oats 0 . 1 0 meal rather improved, but there was no alterstluoto the prices of last Friday. Barley, beans, and 10:dpoerrittel unaltered in value or demand. Indian corn in ID demand, and a sale of prime mixed American Was re at 28s 6d per 4801 b. •••.M.....1.1 SHEFFIELD—TUESDAY. a 0 Our market to-day was fairly attended to-dal, (41 ,,, A l show of wheat and other grain was about an averi l Yo9s Red wheat, par load of 3 imperial bushels...lss Oil 0 io if; White...l7s Odt0;,1,00 f t , New red• .15s Od to iiioA , New white ~ ...17s Od W WU!, ft Beans ...15s6de, ft ft Peas, per. qr Grinding barley, per qr 29s 0 to 30 r, Malting ditto, „ 3 250d t° or Oats If l9B Od t ° Flour, Is 4d to is 8d per 14 lb. --- MELTON M 0 WBRAY--T u EsDAY. 00 11 Tho following were the currencies :--New w hit ° ot olle , 43s Od to 46s Od ; new red, 36s Od to 42 s per 36 3,5010 beans, 40s to 42s for old; new sorts, 34s to 37s P er qt. o ti barley, 34s to 37s for malting, and 28s tv 30s POO, grinding; new oats, 19s to 23s Od per 24 stone , to 28s. Foreign Mail Packet Lists • MAILS,;DIJE.; l 9 ' )10 O. Australia and Mauritius, via Southampton. ..... 'say 4 via Marseilles ........ ' sof, 0 Brazil and Cape Verds , by British pacNet. ....... k r', Cape of Good Hope, Ascension, and St. Holena. l l ,Tigivi` China, Penang, and Singapore, via Southampton ., l,o l via Marsei ll es .• • 4 ' r 0 6, Falkland Islands .... f it' Gibraltar, via Southampton ... .• .v oy ,.. „.„ India (Calcutta), and Ceylon, via Southampton. • fi ril . 6', via Marseilles.. • • '`ril ay India (Bombay), via Southampton .. .. A'P r il ' via Marseilles AP 4 , mai 3 6. Portuga1.... Malta, Egypt, and Aden, via Southampton.... • • • A n ri,,, via Marseilles ....... A pr i' Newfoundland Oporto and Vigo . ............. : Av ril U. S. and British N. America, by Brit. packe t. • " 1 0 , by U.S. packet •,..,,,?..A.pr i . i / 1 by Canadian pack' . Apri 5 , W.C. of Africa,_ M- adeira, and Teneriffe ........ • l oaf., 0 Bahamas, via New York AP rD 0 Mexico.. All parts of West Indies, including Chili, Pera":}AP.4l"- California, and British C01umbia........... Births. DIY vlo CURETON.—On the 17th inst., at Raglan-road' n the wife of Lieutenant-Colonel Edward Curet°° 44 daughter. bit rg t/1 71 CONSTABLE.—On the l B th inst., at 50, Suss 0, Brighton, the wife of Marmaduke Constable, .01 'l ° son. west, GLYN.—On the 19th inst., at 5, Eaton,place, sel Pascoe Glyn, of a sun. 00 0 ` LIVRENCE —On the 16th inst., at Soutligocerre0 0, Southgate, the wife of the flight Ron. Sir J. P" of a daughter. Marriages. , o , vk j DO A , GREEN—BANNISTER.—On the 16th inst., at 0.- - 0 :1,40 Westbourne• terrace, Henry Green, E,q , of VP_ l3 , — ,o I 'd downe-terrace, Kensington - park , to Eliza Aub-v,g., youngest daughter of the late James Banister, -1-- St. James's-place. 4 , ipilr OVERBURY— IV SEARD.—On the 16th inst. at "% r atl Church, Bath, John Overbury, Esq., of daklercvActe London, to Elizabeth Jane, widow Charles T. Esq,, of Bath. Deaths. BURGES.—On the 16th inst., Sous e, Cliff B Bristol, Daniel Burgcs, Esq., a a t ge ß d ru B t 9 ° . n „, it !" LAKE.—On the 16th inst., at Holway, near xa - Downing Blake, Esq., aged 89. DucAL—On the 18th inst., at Hastings) Charles 9 E-q., M.D. 7,1 Jolt EDGAR —On the 15th inst., at Thornhill-square, e'l George Edgar, Esq., aged 37. o refis MAUGRAN.—On the 18th inst. , at The Abbey. Grimsby, John Thomas Maughan , Grim E s q., aged 79. rr to id MONTEITIL—On the 18th inst., at 11, Upper Wi,iv street, Lieut,-General William Monteith, LL.D., aged 74. R el. the Bet m PARKER.—On the 18th inst., at South H ac kney, i , OO l l George H. Parker, incumbent of St. A.ndrew's, greei.......................„,_„....... ,--10' London: Printed and rrbnalied by WILLIAM ANDS' 0$ ot of No. 112, Strand, Prin ter, at TIM Sow Office M;, Strand, in the Precinct of the 3avoy. n the Cola 0 Kiittleaex.—Wedne ;day, ,Arril 20, .1861..